By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed that the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former US Army major who killed 13 people in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in 2009 would be “public.”
A Pentagon official confirmed Thursday that the execution by firing squad “will be livestreamed,” but did not offer more details.
The execution is scheduled for December 3 at the United States Army base located in Central Texas.
This event marks the first military capital punishment carried out in more than six decades. President Donald Trump recently approved the recommendation put forward by Hegseth.
Defense Leadership Defends Method and Broadcast
Hegseth addressed the decision during an interview with far-right podcaster Jack Posobiec aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday . He defended the choice of a firing squad and the decision to broadcast the event.
“We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public,” Hegseth said. “Because people need to understand that there’s serious consequences for these types of things.”
Hegseth further stated that Hasan is “gonna get a firing squad of soldiers. As it should be.” He described the method of execution as a “no-brainer.” When asked during the interview if Hasan had contacted the president or made final requests, Hegseth replied, “Don’t care. We’ll see him on December 3rd.”
Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle set the date and time for 1 p.m. central time on a Thursday, matching the exact day of the week and hour of the original attack.
Background of the 2009 Fort Hood Massacre
Hasan opened fire in a crowded medical building at Fort Hood, Texas on November 5, 2009. Deploying soldiers were gathered inside for routine check-ups and vaccines at the time of the assault.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 13 people and wounded 32 others. It stands as the deadliest non-combat attack ever recorded on an American military base. During the incident, Hasan shouted phrases in Arabic.
He admitted to being the gunman during his 2013 court-martial and apologized for what he termed mistakes. He stated at the time that he believed he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Convicted of premeditated murder, Hasan was sentenced to death and left paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by responding officers.
